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About The Artist
Hank learned to play the guitar legend has it from a black street singer by the name of Rufe Payne or Tee Tot as everyone called him. Ole Tee Tot would come to town a couple times a week as the story goes and would play songs for the folks anywhere they'd let him and collect a few coins for his efforts. He also had a bunch of little boys around him to that would follow him around. One of them was Hank, where he probably got his influence from the blues guitar and lonesome sounds played by this street singer. Along the way, Hank's interest in music kept growing. He got a new guitar one Christmas after trading in an old $3.50 guitar his mom had given him. Then, along came amateur night at the Montgomery Empire Theater. Hank was said not to have been to a movie theatre to even see a movie, let alone perform at one. But, by that time he had written his first tune, "WPA Blues". "I got a home in Montgomery
He continued to write his songs. Some of those first efforts included, "Never Again (Will I Knock on Your Door)" - (the flip side of Hank's "Lovesick Blues" record eventually), "I Don't Care (If Tomorrow Never Comes)" and "Six More Miles". Early in his songwriting career it goes that Hank sold a song called "I'm Praying For The Day That Peace Will Come" to another legend in the business, Pee Wee King. They said Hank was down on his luck a bit at the time when he sold the song when he had met up with Pee Wee King and Minnie Pearl who were in Dothan, Alabama to do a show. Hank eventually went to Nashville and was signed up by Fred Rose at Acuff-Rose. Hank had met Roy Acuff several times when Roy would be performing down in Alabama. One of the legendary stories about Hank's ability to write songs was when he first met Fred Rose and more or less wanted to test him after he sang him a few songs after showing up at their offices unannounced. Fred said he didn't know that Hank actually wrote them, so he gave Hank a situation where a gal married a rich boy instead of the poor boy who lived in the cabin. Hank went to another room and composed his song. It took him a half hour to write "A Mansion On The Hill". And the legend grows. Later on, after being signed by Acuff-Rose, Hank got a spot on the WSM Grand Ole Opry. Another legend has it that when he made that first appearance and did Lovesick Blues, he brought the house down. And got the unheard of response of six encores. And the legend grows...
Throughout his career it is well documented that the songs he wrote often mirrored what was going on his life. His marriage to Audrey Williams is well documented in several of the biographies about Hank's life. She also wanted to be a singer herself. Though at times that may have caused some tension at her insistence on being a performer, too, Hank and Audrey recorded several duets together along the way. Hank and Audrey had a child, Hank Williams, Jr. or Little Bocephus as he was nicknamed and who later on in his life, would become a famous entertainer himself. But the happiness in their marriage didn't last. And eventually, the day would come they were divorced. Hank always fought a battle with his drinking. He could go months without it, but then when he would drink, it seems it got the best of him many times. He also had back problems that he had to deal with, seeing doctors, getting medication, etc. It all came to a point where the Opry decided they had to deal with it by letting Hank Williams go. Everyone knew he was sick at the time and needed to recuperate. But fate never allowed that to happen it seemed. He went back home to Alabama. And later on, hooked up with the Louisiana Hayride who were willing to give Hank a chance to restart his career. Everyone knew he could still sing. Towards the end of his life, Hank met up with a gal by the name of Billie Jean Jones Eshlimar and they were to marry on October 18, 1952. But it wasn't to be any ordinary wedding. It was a very public ceremony, combined with a performance on the Louisiana Hayride.
Then, late in 1952, there was to be a new tour for Hank to show everyone he was on the way back. A performance in Canton had been scheduled for New Year's Eve in Canton, Ohio. Hank had arranged with Don Helms to have a few of the Drifting Cowboys meet him up there, using the old limousine they toured in. Hank was originally supposed to fly up there and meet them. But when the day came around, snow had started to fall and flying was out of the question. So, Hank hired a driver, a fellow by the name of Charles Carr, to drive him to Canton. Along the way, Carr got pulled over in Knoxville, Tennessee for speeding. The officer had asked about the fellow in the back seat that wasn't moving it seems, but the driver mentioned that he had taken a sedative and was just sleeping it off. Into the night they drove and about when he got to Oak Hill, West Virginia, he decided to check up on Hank after pulling into a Pure Oil station. But he couldn't wake Hank and drove him to the Oak Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. On January 1, 1953, the legend of Hank Williams' life came to an end. But the legend of his musical legacy lives on today. In the music played by his original band the Drifting Cowboys, in the careers by his son, Hank Williams, Jr., his grandson, Hank Williams III and a daughter born after he had died, Jett Williams. And his music also lives on as there is hardly a country band that won't play a tune by Hank Williams at one time or another. His music stands the test of time, simple as it was, but in that simplicity lies its greatness and ability to touch folks that listen to it and play it. They've written many tribute songs about Hank after his death. They've written many an article about his life and music. They've written many a book, too. Even made movies and plays about the man and his music. But perhaps the best way to know Hank, is to listen to the music. It says it better than anything else.
Encounters with Hank
Curley Collins (courtesy of Phil Collins, Curley's son): Timeline and Trivia Notes Band Members:
Suggested Further Reading
More information on the above books can be found in our "Library" section.
Related Web Links
Appearance History This Month
Get The Music
Read More About The Artist
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Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)
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| Rec. No. | Side | Song Title | ||
| 10033 | A | Move It On Over | ||
| 10033 | B | (Last Night) I Heard You Crying In Your Sleep | ||
| 10073 | A | Fly Trouble | ||
| 10073 | B | On The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain | ||
| 10124 | A | Rootie Tootie | ||
| 10124 | B | My Sweet Love Ain't Around | ||
| 10171 | A | Honky Tonkin' | ||
| 10171 | B | I'll Be A Bachelor Til I Die | ||
| 10212 | A | The Blues Come Around | ||
| 10212 | B | I'm A Long Gone Daddy | ||
| 10226 | A | Pan American | ||
| 10226 | B | I Don't Care (If Tomorrow Never Comes) | ||
| 10271 | A | I Saw The Light | ||
| 10271 | B | Six More Miles | ||
| 10328 | A | Mansion On The Hill | ||
| 10328 | B | I Can't Get You Off My Mind | ||
| 10352 | A | Lovesick Blues | ||
| 10352 | B | Never Again (Will I Knock On Your Door) | ||
| 10401 | A | Wedding Bells | ||
| 10401 | B | I've Just Told Mama Good-Bye | ||
| 10434 | A | Dear Brother | ||
| 10434 | B | Lost On The River | ||
| 10461 | A | Mind Your Own Business | ||
| 10461 | B | There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight | ||
| 10506 | A | You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave) | ||
| 10506 | B | Lost Highway | ||
| 10560 | A | I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry | ||
| 10560 | B | My Bucket's Got A Hole In It | ||
| 10609 | A | I Just Don't Like This Kind Of Livin' | ||
| 10609 | B | May You Never Be Alone | ||
| 10645 | A | My Son Calls Another Man Daddy | ||
| 10645 | B | Long Gone Lonesome Blues | ||
| 10696 | A | Why Don't You Love Me | ||
| 10696 | B | A House Without Love | ||
| 10760 | A | They'll Never Take Her Love From Me | ||
| 10760 | B | Why Should We Try Anymore | ||
| 10813 | A | I Heard My Mother Praying For Me | ||
| 10813 | B | Jesus Died For Me | ||
| 10832 | A | Nobody's Lonesome For Me | ||
| 10832 | B | Moanin' The Blues | ||
| 10904 | A | Cold, Cold Heart | ||
| 10904 | B | Dear John | ||
| 10961 | A | I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You | ||
| 10961 | B | Howlin' At The Moon | ||
| 11000 | A | Hey Good Lookin' | ||
| 11000 | B | My Heart Would Know | ||
| 11017 | A | I Dreamed About Mama Last Night | ||
| 11017 | B | I've Been Down That Road Before | ||
| 11028 | A | Please Don't Let Me Love You | ||
| 11028 | B | Faded Love And Winter Roses | ||
| 11054 | A | Crazy Heart | ||
| 11054 | B | Lonesome Whistle | ||
| 11100 | A | Baby, We're Really In Love | ||
| 11100 | B | I'd Still Want You | ||
| 11202 | A | Half As Much | ||
| 11202 | B | Let's Turn Back The Years | ||
| 11283 | A | Window Shopping | ||
| 11283 | B | Jambalaya (On The Bayou) | ||
| 11318 | A | Settin' The Woods On Fire | ||
| 11318 | B | You Win Again | ||
| 11366 | A | I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive | ||
| 11366 | B | I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You | ||
| 11416 | A | Your Cheatin' Heart | ||
| 11416 | B | Kaw-Liga | ||
| 11479 | A | Take These Chains From My Heart | ||
| 11479 | B | Ramblin' Man | ||
| 11533 | A | I Won't Be Home No More | ||
| 11533 | B | My Love For You Has Turned To Hate | ||
| 11574 | A | I Can't Escape From You | ||
| 11574 | B | Weary Blues From Waiting | ||
| 11628 | A | When God Comes And Gathers His Jewels | ||
| 11628 | B | Calling You | ||
| 11675 | A | You Better Keep It On Your Mind | ||
| 11675 | B | Low Down Blues | ||
| 11707 | A | A House Of Gold | ||
| 11707 | B | How Can You Refuse Him Now | ||
| 11768 | A | I'm Satisfied With You | ||
| 11768 | B | Faded Love And Winter Roses | ||
| 11861 | A | The Angel Of Death | ||
| 11861 | B | Sing, Sing, Sing | ||
| 11928 | A | Faded Love And Withered Roses | ||
| 11928 | B | Please Don't Let Me Love You | ||
| 11975 | A | Message To My Mother | ||
| 11975 | B | Mother Is Gone | ||
| 12029 | A | A Teardrop On A Rose | ||
| 12029 | B | Alone And Forsaken | ||
| 12077 | A | The First Fall Of Snow | ||
| 12077 | B | Someday You'll Call My Name | ||
| 12127 | A | Thank God | ||
| 12127 | B | The Battle Of Armageddon | ||
| 12185 | A | Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine | ||
| 12185 | B | California Zephyr | ||
| 12244 | A | There's No Room In My Heart (For The Blues) | ||
| 12244 | B | I Wish I Had A Nickel | ||
| 12332 | A | Singing Waterfall | ||
| 12332 | B | Blue Love (In My Heart) | ||
| 12394 | A | The Pale Horse And His Rider | ||
| 12394 | B | Home In Heaven | ||
| 12438 | A | Ready To Go Home | ||
| 12438 | B | We're Getting Closer To The Grave Each Day | ||
| 12484 | A | Leave Me Alone With The Blues | ||
| 12484 | B | With Tears In My Eyes | ||
| 12535 | A | Waltz Of The Wind | ||
| 12535 | B | No One Will Ever Know | ||
| 12611 | A | I Can't Help It | ||
| 12611 | B | Why Don't You Love Me | ||
| 12635 | A | My Bucket's Got A Hole In It | ||
| 12635 | B | We Live In Two Different Worlds | ||
| 12727 | A | Just Waitin' | ||
| 12727 | B | Roly Poly | ||
| 13489 | A | You Win Again | ||
| 13489 | B | I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry | ||
| 13630 | A | There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight | ||
| 13630 | B | They'll Never Take Her Love From Me | ||
| 30639 | A | Honky Tonk Blues | ||
| 30639 | B | Long Gone Lonesome Blues | ||
| 381 (Eng) | A | The Blues Come Around | ||
| 381 (Eng) | B | Moanin' The Blues | ||
| 459 (Eng) | A | I'm A Long Gone Daddy | ||
| 459 (Eng) | B | Cold Cold Heart | ||
| 483 (Eng) | A | Why Don't You Love Me | ||
| 483 (Eng) | B | I'd Still Want You | ||
| 505 (Eng) | A | Honky Tonk Blues | ||
| 505 (Eng) | B | I'm Sorry For You My Friend | ||
| 566 (Eng) | A | Jambalaya | ||
| 566 (Eng) | B | Settin' The Woods On Fire | ||
| 585 (Eng) | A | I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive | ||
| 585 (Eng) | B | I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You | ||
| 666 (Eng) | A | Let's Turn Back The Years | ||
| 666 (Eng) | B | My Bucket's Got A Hole In It | ||
| 704 (Eng) | A | Weary Blues | ||
| 704 (Eng) | B | I Can't Escape From You | ||
| 733 (Eng) | A | There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight | ||
| 733 (Eng) | B | Crazy Heart | ||
| 931 (Eng) | A | Blue Love | ||
| 931 (Eng) | B | Singing Waterfall | ||
| 942 (Eng) | A | Low Down Blues | ||
| 942 (Eng) | B | My Sweet Love Ain't Around | ||
| ||||
| Rec. No. | Side | Song Title | ||
| S-201 | A | Never Again (Will I Knock On Your Door) | ||
| S-201 | B | Calling You | ||
| S-204 | A | Wealth Won't Save Your Soul | ||
| S-204 | B | When God Comes And Gathers His Jewels | ||
| S-208 | A | I Don't Care (If Tomorrow Never Comes) | ||
| S-208 | B | My Love For You Has Turned To Hate | ||
| S-210 | A | Honky Tonkin' | ||
| S-210 | B | Pan American | ||
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Voting Member of:
Hiram "Hank" Williams was born in Mt. Olive, Alabama, the
son of Elonzo (Lon) H. and Lilly Williams. His parents
were in Georgiana for a while until they moved up to Mt. Olive
in 1923. By then, they had a year old baby girl, Irene.
Early on, Hank formed his band and it was called the Drifting Cowboys.
Over the years when he was at his peak, that band would become the sound
of legends along with Hank and the tunes they did.
Hank first was signed by the Sterling Record label. Hank did two sessions with
Sterling, being paid a flat fee for them instead of getting royalties. But Fred Rose
was impressed enough with what he had heard and wanted to negotiate a contract
with a larger label. Fred knew Frank Walker who had previously been president
of the Columbia and RCA Victor labels. At the time, he was in the midst of
starting a new label for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. And so, Hank was signed by
MGM as one of their first artists.
